Robert "Bob" Lee Tlusty

Robert “Bob” Lee Tlusty went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 21, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born on April, 14, 1936 on his grandmother’s farm one mile outside of Medford, Wisconsin during a blizzard to the late Leo John Tlusty and Helen Berniece (Clarkson) Tlusty. He was so excited to see snow, he arrived one hour before the doctor. Bob spent the first few years of his life in Medford before moving to Rib Lake, Wisconsin while in grade school. He graduated from Rib Lake High School in 1956 and then moved to Chicago where he lived for five years while working at Neuendorf Trucking. After leaving Chicago, Bob joined the United States Air Force in 1961. During his more than 22 years as a military fighter jet mechanic, he spent time in Japan, Alaska, Egypt, Vietnam, Korea, Germany, and various stateside locations. During his military service, Bob learned as much as possible about the F-4 aircraft, earning the nickname “F-4E Bob”.
While stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada Bob met his beautiful wife, Linda. They were married on May 22, 1982. After his retirement from the United States Air Force in 1985, Bob and his family relocated to Valdosta, Georgia where he had previously been stationed. Bob later became a driver for Conway Southern Express (CSE) Trucking, a job he deeply loved. During his years of trucking, he earned the nickname “Sarge”, a reference to his time in the United States Air Force. Bob retired from CSE Trucking in 1998.
After a lifetime of hard work, Bob thoroughly enjoyed his retirement. He was an avid woodworker, volunteer Red Coat at South Georgia Medical Center, and member of American Legion Post 218. Bob’s favorite activity was spending time with his family. Combining his love for woodworking and his Christian faith, Bob enjoyed making wooden cross keychains that he would freely hand out everywhere he went. Before leaving his home each morning, he would put a handful of keychains in his pocket and rarely had any left when he returned home later that day. Bob loved the Lord and faithfully attended First Baptist Church of Lake Park, Georgia. He was also a founding member of Perimeter Road Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia where he and his family served for many years.
Bob was well known for his sense of humor. His favorite jokes involved his finger with a missing tip. He loved to ask children how many fingers they had, then jokingly tell them that he had only 9 ½ fingers. He told many stories about how he lost his fingertip, but nobody really knows for sure just how he lost that fingertip.
Along with is parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Tom Tlusty, Jerry Tlusty and Dick Tlusty; his infant sister, Catherine Tlusty.
Bob is survived by his wife of 42 years, Linda Phillips Tlusty; his son, Dale Cook (fiancé Shannen, Owen and Adrien); his daughter, Dana Durwin (Jim); grandchildren: Austin Cook (Kristy), Chase Cook (Jacie), Sam Cook, Jenson Cook and Kaylyn Wilson (Clay); great grandchildren: Raelyn, Lee, Grayson, Hayes and Hazel Rae; sister-in-law, Merrill and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
As per his wishes, he will be cremated, and no formal services will be held at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of South Georgia, https://hospiceofsouthgeorgia.org/donate/ . Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com . The Tlusty family is being served by the professional and caring staff of Music Funeral Services, Azalea Crematory of Valdosta.